XT 500

1976 Yamaha XT 500 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Yamaha's enduro - offroad motorcycle lineup, the 1976 Yamaha XT 500 utilizes a 499 cc (30.5 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, four-stroke layout. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 27 HP (19.7 kW) at 5,900 rpm while maximum torque reaches 39.2 Nm (28.9 lb-ft) at 5,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 54.1 HP per liter and a 900 rpm working window between peak torque (5,000 rpm) and peak power (5,900 rpm), the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the XT 500 measures 155 kg (342 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.17 HP/kg (5.74 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 840 mm (33.1 in) seat height — resulting in a taller command-style riding posture suited to medium-to-tall inseams, combined with a 1,415 mm (55.7 in) wheelbase engineered for quick, flickable steering geometry. The 9-liter (2.4 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 132 km/h (82 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Yamaha archive, this model family spans 15 indexed model years from 1976 to 1990, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.